academy...

Raze's strength was growing, but it wasn't enough. His body felt tougher, his movements sharper, his strikes heavier, yet… it still wasn't enough.

Sitting cross-legged on the cold ground, he let out a long breath. Sweat clung to his skin as the night breeze whispered through the open training grounds.

"Akeno, show me my stats."

A translucent screen flickered into existence before his eyes, casting a faint glow in the darkness.

[User: Raze][Mage Soul Level: Flickering Soul (Mana: 12/100)][Body Level: Peak Mortal]

Raze narrowed his eyes. His fingers twitched as he glared at the numbers in frustration.

"What?! It only increased by two?!" He gritted his teeth. "That's way too slow!"

Akeno's voice rang in his ears, calm yet edged with amusement.

[What did you expect? That becoming a mage was easy?]

Raze clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms.

"I trained my body relentlessly, fought through exhaustion, and absorbed mana every single night. And this is all I get?"

Akeno sighed.

[You still don't understand, do you? The stronger you become, the harder the path ahead. Power is never freely given—it is earned, paid for in sweat, blood, and time.]

Raze exhaled sharply, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling inside him. He knew it wasn't supposed to be easy, but this felt unfair.

[Advancing in strength is not just about physical power. It is a test of endurance, patience, and sacrifice.]

Raze fell silent.

[As you grow stronger, your life span increases. The people around you—the ones you love and care for—will not share the same fate.]

Raze's breath hitched.

[They will age, grow weaker, and eventually die. And you? You will keep walking forward, alone.]

The words hit deep.

He had never thought about it like that. He wanted strength—yes—but for what? To protect his family. To live a life free from struggle.

But if he kept growing stronger, would he one day find himself alone?

A heavy weight settled in his chest. The image of his loved ones flashed before his eyes—Nyx's smile, Kael's determined gaze, the warmth of the small moments he shared with them.

Would he have to watch them all fade away?

For the first time, a deep doubt gnawed at him.

But then, something inside him pushed back.

No.

He wasn't going to let fear dictate his path.

"I don't care," Raze muttered, his voice quiet but firm.

Akeno remained silent, waiting.

"I don't care how hard it gets. I don't care if the road is steep or if I have to endure pain, loss, or loneliness."

He slowly stood up, his body aching from the day's training. His gaze was unwavering.

"I will keep moving forward. I will become stronger. And I will protect the people I love for as long as I can."

Akeno hummed, his usual teasing tone absent.

[Hmph. As long as you understand that strength comes with a price.]

Raze exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

"Yeah. I understand."

A few meters away, Kael had been silently watching.

His grip on his training sword tightened.

"That idiot…" he muttered, shaking his head. But deep down, he felt something stir.

Raze's determination was infectious.

Kael had been the strongest. He wasn't like Raze, whose stubbornness could shake the heavens. He had never felt one step behind.

But not anymore.

The Royal Academy Exams were coming. This was their chance.

Their chance to prove themselves.

Kael took a deep breath and adjusted his stance.

If Raze wasn't going to slow down, neither would he.

And so, under the moonlit sky, the two brothers trained harder than ever.

but keal didn't have a technique and nor did he knew how to make one he started his physical workout to make his body strong and increase his stamina 

now there was No hesitation. No doubts. Only progress.

Nyx saw both of them.

she felt happy to see them being serious and getting competitive. 

This was just the beginning.